Empowering Leadership and Work Environment as Predictors of Innovative Work Behavior of Teachers

This study explores the role of empowering leadership and work environment as predictors of innovative work behavior among teachers. The work environment is assessed through co-worker and supervisor relationships, physical work conditions, organizational commitment, job qualities, opportunities for training and development, communication practices, and alignment with departmental goals. A total of 300 teachers were randomly selected to participate, with data gathered via three research questionnaires. The study adopts a descriptive-correlational research design. The findings indicate that empowering leadership, particularly through leading by example, has a very high overall impact on innovative work behavior. Teachers also exhibit a high degree of innovative behavior, especially in realizing ideas. Among the work environment factors, physical aspects of the workplace were rated the highest. The study shows that empowering leadership behaviors, such as leading by example, coaching, informing, and demonstrating concern/interaction with the team, significantly influence innovative work behavior, with p-values below 0.05. Additionally, empowering leadership and innovative work behavior are positively correlated. Coaching, informing, demonstrating concern/interaction with the team, and training and development also significantly impact innovative work behavior both individually and in combination, as indicated by their p-values being less than 0.05. It is recommended that leaders prioritize coaching and setting an example to create a work environment that promotes innovative behavior and idea realization. Organizations should invest in training and development programs and improve the physical workspace to further empower teachers and foster innovation.